IPL 7 Auction: Franchises pick teams that suit all conditions

With Lok Sabha elections looming, Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises have decided to pick teams that will suit all conditions in case the teams have to tour abroad to play.

“Different playing conditions will not bother Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as they have picked players good at performing in any condition. You are a cricketer and have to play in any condition. This formula was applied when we picked the Indian team,” Krishnamachari Srikkanth, a part of Chennai think tank, told reporters at the end of the first day of players’ auction.

Delhi Daredevils (DD) coach T A Sekar said the team management will bid for those adept at playing on any wicket.

“We have discussed this question in our meeting. We will pick our team according to that,” he said.

Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) coach Sanjay Bangar, however, said it was not an issue with his side as they had a fair number of uncapped players to pick from.

“We are not planning for one year, but for next three years,” he said.

On buying Kevin Petersen, Sekar said no team would like to lose him, especially when he is available for the whole season.

“You cannot afford to lose a player like Pietersen when he is available full time. He is a colourful player off the ground and terrific on the field,” he said.

Sekar said his team targeted Dinesh Karthik because he’s a good captaincy material and a smart cricketer.

Asked about the combination of coach Gary Kirsten and Pietersen sharing responsibilities for Delhi, Sekar said, “Two South Africans can’t be bad.”

First Published on February 13, 2014, 2:53 amLast updated on February 13, 2014, 7:27 am